Turkish Minister Responds to Pope Francis’ Use of Term GENOENOCIDE

Turkey’s deputy foreign minister has said Pope Francis’ use of the term ''genocide'' in reference to the mass killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks in the early part of the 20th century was “very unfortunate.”. Nurettin Canikli said: “Like the picture we see with Britain’s departure from the European Union (EU), unfortunately signs of crusaders’ mindset & all of its reflections can be seen both in the Pope & the activities of the papacy.” One of the points of contention in the “Brexit” referendum was whether Britain should be backing Turkey’s wish to join the EU.
“The Pope’s statement is no different,” he went on. “It is not an objective statement, it is not consistent with reality. Everybody knows this, all of us know, the whole world knows this. Armenians also know this.”
Pope Francis used the term “genocide” on Friday at a meeting with the Armenian President & civic leaders. He had already used the term on the centenary of the atrocity last in April last year, resulting in Turkey temporarily recalling its ambassador to the Holy See.

Canikli also referred to a recent parliamentary resolution passed by the German parliament recognizing the 1915 events as “genocide.” He believes both that decision & the Pope’s use of the term are “political” & “based on religious factors.”
Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi told reporters Friday that the Pope changed his mind & departed from the text to say the word “genocide”. Father Lombardi said the substance of the word is “very clear” & the Holy See has “never denied what the reality is.”